SOURCE OP ST. PETEP/S RIVER. 259 



From the instances which we have cited, and we might 

 have adduced many more, we are led to believe that, wher- 

 ever the practice of shaking hands has been observed, it had 

 probably been received from the English ; for the only three 

 instances which we have mentioned are those from Hub- 

 bard, Du Pratz, and Lawson. The first of these authors 

 states it of the New England Indians ; the second is com- 

 paratively a modern writer, his book having been publish- 

 ed as late as 1 758 ; and Lawson's authority, though generally 

 very good, is less decisive in this instance, because, being 

 himself an Englishman, he might be more ready to ascribe 

 this practice to the Indians, than any other, and because he 

 speaks of Indians who had already some acquaintance with 

 the English ; besides we find that he describes twice the 

 practice of scratching the shoulder, as a mark of great re- 

 spect, from which circumstance, we are led to believe, 

 that this was the original practice of the Carolina Indians. 

 The practice of kissing hands and of prostration, being 

 only mentioned by Spanish writers, was probably the con- 

 sequence of an intercourse with Spaniards. That of embrac- 

 ing appears more general, but it is also restricted chiefly to 

 French authors, or to those who treat of Indians that had been 

 in habits of intercourse with the French. One exception pre- 

 sents itself, however, to our recollection, it is in the first recep- 

 tion of Captain Lewis by the Shoshonees. " The three men 

 leaped from their horses, came up to Captain Lewis, and em- 

 braced him with great cordiality, putting their left arm over 

 his right shoulder and clasping his back, applying at the 

 same time their left cheek to his, and frequently vociferating 

 ah-hie ! ah-hie ! * I am much pleased, I am much rejoiced.' 

 The whole body of warriors now came forward, and our 

 men received the caresses, and no small share of the grease 



